| Dodece said: @Michael-5 You are right that Microsoft abandoned its exclusive JRPG strategy, but it was a strategy that didn't bare any real fruit for them. The Japanese market didn't reward them for their efforts even when the 360 had half a dozen exclusives, and the PS3 basically had none. The Japanese consumer still purchased far more PS3s per week, and like it or not it isn't a particularly important genre outside of Japan. All companies have to respond to what the consumers want, and Japanese consumers didn't like those games enough to buy a 360 to play them, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Western audiences can easily live without them. Anyway Microsoft doesn't have to fund exclusives anymore, because the likes of Square have warmed up to the idea of developing for their platform. Don't get me wrong I had a lot of fun with those exclusives, but Microsoft probably did better by putting more effort into other genres that consumers would and have rewarded them for. If you were them what would you do. Fund a game that will ten to fifteen thousand more 360s in Japan, or fund a game that might sell a million more 360s in the Western market. They tried it didn't work and they moved on, and to be honest I doubt that if they had twice as many exclusives in that genre that it would have done them any good. It is pretty obvious that there is a strong nationalism component to the situation. That said I think Microsoft might make more headway in the future if their hardware itself becomes more appealing. The idea of full room immersion might create a better aesthetic, and Japanese consumers may be more accepting of the idea of playing games on a Microsoft console. If that happens Microsoft might get back in the game of funding more exclusives in that genre. |
Regardless of the profitability of JRPG's on a Microsoft console. I was pointing out that the 360 in 2013 is marked as "the only box for premium entertainment." The quote the OP has it bolded himself.
I was just pointing out the irony since the 360 currently is a very one sided console, appealing specifically to American tastes. Not only is the 360 one sided, but Microsoft has shown a lack of interest in producing games which truely appeal to others. I mean with Rare under their wing, Microsoft could have produced an epic Banjo Kazooie or Perfect Dark game, but instead made some half ass crap which hurt the brand.
NextBox might be better at making games for all gamers, but even if Microsoft had a change of attitude and wnated to make different genres of games. They can't just suddenly produce games which compete with established Nintendo and Sony products. A good example would be the Forza Series, Forza 1 didn't make GT fans switch over, and neither did Forza 2. It took 3 attemps for GT fans to even consider Forza a compeditor to GT, and a 4th attemp for them to take the franchise seriously.
Forza is a racing game, which appeals to Americans, and globally, but what about genres which aren't popular in the USA? If Microsoft keeps producing new domestic development studios, it will never be able to compete in other genres, even genres popular in the USA (Americans love Japanese Platformers)
I agree that it was smart for microsoft to cut ties with Japanese exclusives, but if you cut out potentially appealing games for 1.3rd the market it's pretty damn ironic that you say your system is for everyone. Microsoft does not have the attitude to develop games for other markets, let alone good games which make us forget about Sony and Nintendo. Still people want more then Multiplatform titles, people will prefer a WiiU or a PS4 for various genres (say platformer even) which Microsoft isn't good at developing.
I just hate it when one brand says they have it all, when they clearly don't. Be it games, cars, clothing, women, whatever. It's being ignorant, and shoiwng it, which deters me from your products.
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